Salvia plant named ‘Little Night’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of European Meadow Sage named ‘Little Night’ that is characterized by its dwarf, compact habit and dark violet-blue flowers. Additionally, the flowering stems (spikes) are short and compact with small-sized foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The ornamentalplant variety of this invention is botanically identified as Salvianemerosa (superba).

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Little Night’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety ofSalvia nemerosa (superba), more commonly known as European Meadow Sage.The new variety has dwarf-like characteristics, including: compactgrowth habit; short, compact flowering stems (spikes); and small-sizedfoliage.

European Meadow Sage is a perennial, ornamental plant used in gardenlandscapes. Its attractive violet-blue flowers and adaptation to avariety of soil conditions, including clay, contribute to its broadmarket appeal and utilization.

Discovered and asexually propagated by the inventor, ‘Little Night’ wasselected from a cultivated area in a residential garden located in SaltLake City, Utah on Jun. 8, 2011. While the exact parentage of thepresent invention is uncertain, ‘Little Night’ is likely anun-hybridized garden seedling of Salvia nemerosa (superba) ‘May Night’.This statement is based on the observation of the surrounding plantswhere the invention was discovered in that ‘May Night’ was the onlyspecies of salvia plants in the area. ‘Little Night’ distinguisheditself from the surrounding seedlings through its much smallermature-sized stems and the shorter length of flower spikes.

In July 2011, the discovered invention was transported and replantedinto a pot and cultivated in a greenhouse located in Santa Fe, N.Mex.where it was observed for two years. Also, propagation via vegetativecuttings of the originally transported plant began in August of 2011under the direction of the inventor of the present invention. The methodutilized softwood cuttings dipped in a standard-strength rootinghormone. The cuttings were then placed under intermittent mist forapproximately 4 weeks until they rooted. Propagation testing continuedat the greenhouse located in Santa Fe, N.Mex. of the rooted cuttings fortwo generations. These cuttings maintained the small size, flower colorand other characteristics of the discovered invention. Additionalcuttings were taken from 2nd generation plants grown from cuttings ofthe discovered invention, which also maintained the small size, flowercolor and other characteristics of the discovered invention. Thistesting demonstrated that the distinct characteristics described hereinare true-to-type and transmissible by asexual reproduction withuniformity and stability. These results were confirmed via additionaltesting in Landenberg, Pa. in May 2014.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits represent the characteristics of the new variety‘Little Night’. These traits in combination distinguish this varietyfrom all other commercial varieties known to the inventor.

-   -   1. Dwarf, compact habit;    -   2. Short, compact flowering stems (spikes) with small-sized        foliage; and    -   3. Dark violet flowers.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for and‘Little Night’ has not been offered for sale more than a year before thefiling date of this application. ‘Little Night’ has not been promotedunder any other breeder's reference or cultivar name.

Plants of ‘Little Night’ have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environmental conditions, for example, withfluctuation in temperature, soil chemistry, and photoperiod without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall, typicalappearance of the new and distinct salvia plant showing the colors astrue as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions ofconventional photography. Due to color variation reproduced in thephotographs, color characteristics of this new variety should bedetermined with reference to the observations described herein, ratherthan a reliance on the photographs alone. Photographs were takenoutdoors in May and June 2014 unless otherwise indicated. The differentphotographs are intended to represent the distinctive characteristics of‘Little Night’.

FIG. 1 (taken in April 2014) is a close up view of the flower spikes andleaves.

FIG. 2, taken indoors under natural light in a greenhouse setting,demonstrates the size of 18 month-old plants growing in #1 gallon potsas compared to the size of a felt-tip marker.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the foliage.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the overall habit and coloration of the invention.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new variety ‘LittleNight’. Data was collected from a plant approximately 18 months-old inJune 2014. The color determinations are in accordance with The 2007edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by TheRoyal Horticultural Society (London, England), except where generalcolor terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used and colorreadings were observed under natural, outdoor light.

VARIETY DESCRIPTION Classification: Botanical: Salvia nemerosa (superba)Common: European Meadow Sage Parentage: Female: Unknown, likely thecommercially available, Salvia nemerosa (superba) named ‘May Night’(unpatented) Male: Unknown Propagation: Vegetatively Plant: Ploidy:Diploid Height, unpruned (m): Short, 15.5 to 18.0 cm (stems) and 25.5 to28.0 cm (flower spikes) Spread (cm): 36.0 to 46.0 cm Vigor: ModerateGrowth habit: Compact, upright growing stems and flower spikes Lifecycle duration: Perennial Cold tolerance: USDA zone 4 Optimaltemperature range: Very tolerant of a wide range of growing temperaturesLateral Branch: Quantity per plant: 8 to 12 Strength: Strong Length,from point of attachment of the upper lateral branch to the top (cm):5.0 to 20.0 cm Diameter (mm or cm): 2.0 mm measured from base of lateralbranch Texture: Smooth and slightly pubescent Color: RHS Green 143 BInternode length (cm): 1.5 to 3.0 cm Internode color: RHS Green 143 BLeaves: Quantity of leaves per lateral branch, average: 12 to 20Arrangement: Opposite, decussate Size (lamina average): Length (mm):40.0 mm Width (mm): Medium, 15.0 mm Type: Simple Shape: Oblong tolanceolate at top Apex: Rounded to acute at top Base: Cordate to obliquerounded Margin: Crenate Cross section: Flat Leaf blade length (mm): 10.0to 30.0 mm (at top); 40.0 to 50.0 (at base) Leaf blade width (mm): 12.0to 20.0 mm Venation: Slightly reticulate on bottom Surface: Uppersurface texture: Glabrous and slightly grooved Lower surface texture:Net veined and slightly pubescent especially on veins Petiole: Shape:Straight with slight flare at stem attachment on lower leaves, petiolateon lower leaves only and upper leaves are sessile Thorns, Spines: AbsentLength (mm): 2.0 to 20.0 mm Width (mm): 1.0 to 2.0 mm Flowers:Inflorescence Type: Verticillaster Age of plant when first bloom: 12months Bloom habit (frequency in the season): Recurrent Time of year forfirst bloom: Late spring (mid-May in USDA zone 6) Length of bloomingtime (days): 4 weeks Color: Upon opening: RHS Violet N-88A Aged: RHSPurple-Violet N82-A New bracts upon opening: RHS Red-Purple 72-A Agedbracts: RHS Green 143B Structure (eg. Complete): Complete, bilabiateAverage size: Length (mm): 10.5 mm Width (mm): 7.0 mm Arrangement:Whorled around central axis of stem Type: 6 per false whorl Fragrance:None Bud: Shape: Rounded to scale-like (immature), round (mature) Length(mm): Immature: 2.5 mm Mature: 5.5 mm Width (mm): Immature: 1.25 mmMature: 2.6 mm Color, mature (before opening): RHS Green 143 B tippedwith RHS Violet N88B Petal: Number, average: 5 Arrangement: BilabiateLength (mm): Posterior lip: 8.2 mm Anterior lip: 6.8 mm Width (mm):Posterior lip: 1.1 mm Anterior lip: 3.8 mm Shape: Bilabiate: fused atbottom, zygomorphic Apex shape: Rounded Base shape: Fused into tubeMargin: Smooth Pubescence: Sparsely pubescent on exterior of petalColor: RHS Violet N88 A Throat: Length (mm): 4.3 mm Width (mm): 1.7 mmColor (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS N87A (Violet group) Sepals:Number (per flower): 5 Shape: Slightly bilabiate Length (mm): 5.5 mmWidth (mm): 2.25 mm Apex: Lanceolate Texture: Smooth Color (taken of a3-year-old plant): RHS N78A (purple group) aging to 138B (green group)with N78A streaking and tip Peduncle: Length (mm): 12.0 to 18.0 mmDiameter (mm): 2.0 to 2.5 mm Angle: 180° Texture: Stem-like, smooth withslight pubescence Color (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS 147B(yellow-green group) Pedicel: Length (mm): 1.0 mm Width (mm): 0.7 mmColor (taken of a 3-year-old plant): RHS 61B (red-purple group) aging toN145C (yellow-green group) Calyx: Shape: United at base with lanceolatetips, slightly bilabiate Length (mm): 5.5 mm Diameter (mm): 1.0 mmReproductive Organs: Fertility, self: No Stamen: Number: 2 Length (mm):1.5 mm Anther: Length (mm): 0.5 mm Width (mm): 0.1 mm Filament length(mm): 1.0 mm Pistil Number: 1 Length (mm): 11.0 mm Style Length (mm):8.0 mm Width (mm): 0.4 mm Ovary Shape: Round Diameter (mm): 0.85 mmPollen Amount: Minimal Color: Yellow Seed Quantity: Up to 4 per flowerShape: Round Texture: Hard, smooth Color: RHS 177A (greyed-orange group)Diameter (mm): 1.3 mm Fruit Type: Schizocarp Diameter (mm): 2.2 mm

-   Best mode growing conditions:    -   -   Soil conditions.—Grows well in all types of soil conditions,            including clay.        -   Water use/drought tolerance.—Drought tolerant, xeric when            planted in the ground.        -   Fertilization.—None required for propagation, add standard            water soluble 15-15-15 or similar formulation weekly during            growing season.-   Known pest susceptibility: Spider Mites.

COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

In comparison to the likely female parent, a commercially available,unpatented variety of Salvia nemerosa (superba) named ‘May Night’, thegrowth habit of the said invention, ‘Little Night’, is much morecompact. ‘Little Night’ also has shorter, more compact flowering stems(spikes) and smaller foliage size.

The male parent is unknown; therefore, no comparison can be made.

‘Little Night’ differs from the commercially available Salvia nemerosanamed ‘Haeumanarc’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,322), known commercially asMarcus, in that the flowers of ‘Little Night’ are a much darker violet,the flower spikes are thinner in diameter and more compact, the plantheight in the flower and stem portions are shorter than ‘Haeumanarc’ bya few centimeters, and the parentage is different.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Salvia plant as herein described andillustrated.